Copymaking device



Jan. 16, 1968 N. N. LAREAU COPYMAKING DEVICE Original Filed June 18,1963 2 Sheets-Sheet l LAREAU INVENTOR fi fl/ala-w ATTORNEYS N. N. LAREAUJan. 16, 196 8 COPYMAKING DEVI GE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed June18, 1963 NORMAN N. LAREAU INVENTOR BY M fi -LMMW ATTORN Y5 I UnitedStates Patent 3,363,553 COPYMAKING DEVICE Norman N. Lareau, Rochester,N.Y., assignor to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N .Y., a corporationof New Jersey Original application June 18, 1963, Ser. No. 288,680, newPatent No. 3,227,074, dated Jan. 4, 1966. Divided and this applicationDec. 23, 1965, Ser. No. 538,875

2 Claims. (Cl. 101-132) ABSTRACT OF THE DHSCLOSURE A copymaking devicehaving a pair of pressure rollers and an electrical control system forautomatically moving the rollers into pressure engagement when themachine is turned on, and relieving the pressure between the rollerswhen the machine is turned off.

This application is a divisional application of Ser. No. 288,680 filedby the same inventor on Dec. 23, 1965, now Patent No. 3,227,074.

Thin invention relates generally to copying apparatus, and morespecifically to a copymaking device having an electrical control systemfor automatically moving a pair of presure rollers into pressureengagement when the device is turned on, and relieving such pressurewhen the device is turned off.

Applicants copymaking device incorporates therein a novel electricalcontrol system for automatically moving the rollers into pressureengagement when the machine is turned on, and automatically relievingthe pressure between the rollers when the machine is turned off. Thisprevents the formation of a flat on the resilient rollers,- which formsfollowing a sustained period of inoperation and which interferes withthe proper reproduction of copies.

Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide animproved copymaking device having means for automatically moving thepressure rollersinto pressure engagement when the device is turned on,and moving the rollers out of pressure engagement when the machine isturned off.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved copymakingdevice of simple design and construction, thoroughly reliable andeflicient in operation, and economical to manufacture.

Objects and advantages other than those set forth above will be apparentfrom the following description when read in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a copymaking device constructed inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, withportions thereof broken away and sectioned, and other parts eliminatedfor purposes of clarity;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device looking at it from adifferent angle with a portion thereof in an exploded view, otherportions thereof broken away and sectioned, and other parts eliminatedfor purposes of clarity; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic electrical wiring diagram for the copymakingdevice.

As shown in the drawings, the copymaking device of this inventioncomprises a base 5, FIG. 1, having a compartmented frame 6 secured toits undersurface for holding sheets of matrix and sheets of copymaterial. A frame member 7 having side plates 8 is secured to the top ofbase 5, and each plate 8 has a V-shaped notch 9 for receiving a rollerbearing 11 Within which one end of a metal roller 12 is journaled.Another bracket 13 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 14 carried by sideplates 8, and also has side plates 15 with notches 16 therein forreceiving roller bearings 17 in which the ends 17 of a resilient roller18 are journaled. The bracket 13 and its roller 18 are pivotally movedtoward and away from metal roller 12 by means of a pair of axiallyspaced eccentrics 19 (seen best in FIG. 2) mounted on a shaft 21 carriedby side plates 8 of fixed bracket 7. The eccentrics 19 are in peripheralengagement with cam followers 22 mounted on a shaft 23 carried by sideplates 15 of pivotal bracket 13. The pivotal bracket 13 is urged by apair of helical springs 24 in a clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 2for urging cam followers 22 into engagement with the periphery of theeccentric cams 19. Each spring 24 has one end encircling a grooved endof a rod 25 carried in a notch 26 in side plates 15, and its oppositeend secured to a threaded bolt 27 (seeFIG. 1) extending through a bar 28carried 'by fixed bracket 7 and secured to the bar by a nut 29. Withthis arrangement, it is possible to vary the spring tension and hencethe force exerted between the pressure rollers 12, 18.

A feed duct comprising upper and lower plates 31, 32 respectively issecured to fixed bracket 7 by any known means, not shown, for guiding amatrix and copy sheet sandwich 30 into the nip of the pressure rollers12, 18. An upper guide member 33 (seen best in FIG. 1) pivotally securedby pins 30 to side plates 8 of fixed bracket 7 is adapted in itsoperative position to receive the matrixcopy sheet sandwich from therollers 12, 18 and direct it out of the device. The guide member 33 hasa projection 30' at each end which is adapted to rest on the peripheryof bearing 17 when it is in its operative position.

Also secured to base 5 are a plurality of upright plates 34, 35, 36, and37 forming a partial enclosure of brackets 7, 13 and rollers 12, 18. AnL-shaped cover member 38 partially shown in FIG. 2 is releasably securedto the plates 34, 35 and 36 to complete the enclosure, which has onenotch 39 therein through which plates 31, 32 extend, and a slot 41 inupper plate 38 through which guide member 33 extends. Slot 41 is inregister with opening 40 of a housing 40 within which the device isenclosed. A reflector, not shown, is secured to base 5 within theenclosure, and a resistive heating element 42 is secured to base 5 abovethe reflector for heating the enclosure. To minimize the dissipation ofheat from the enclosure, insulating material 43 in blanket form of anyknown type is secured to the periphery of the enclosure by clips, notshown.

The temperature of the atmosphere within the enclosure and of therollers 12, 18 is controlled by a thermostat 44' connected to athermostat probe 44 of known type mounted within the enclosure adjacentthe lower plate 32 of the duct (see FIG. 2). The thermostat probe 44 inthis position is responsive to the temperature of the lower plate 32,and the temperature of the lower plate is affected by the coolermatrix-copy sheet sandwich 30 as it is introduced into the device.Consequently, as the matrix-copy sheet sandwich 30 is moved over lowerplate 32 by the operator, the temperature of the lower plate is reducedand actuates the thermostat probe 44 to call for more heat before thematrix-copy sheet sandwich 30 reaches pressure rollers 12, 18.Therefore, the normal tendency for the temperature of the pressurerollers to be reduced by the cooler matrix-copy sheet sandwich 30 iscounteracted by the heat generated by heater 42 before the temperatureof rollers 12, 18 begins to drop. The responsiveness of thermostat probe44 to the temperature of lower plate 32 may be controlled by theinsertion of a sheet of insulating material 45 between the probe 44 andlower plate 32. The insulating material 45 is releasably held to lowerplate 32 by a spring clip 46 secured to lower plate 32. By varying thetype of insulating material 45, or its thickness,vit is possibleto varythe amount of pie-anticipation of the drop in roller temperature. Byproperly selecting the insulating material, it is possible to maintainthe temperature range of the rollers 12, 18 while in use between plus orminus 10 F.

The drive mechanism for rotatably driving roller 12 of the copy makingdevice and thereby transporting between rollers 12, 18 when in pressureengagement a copy sheetmatrix sandwich introduced therebetween,comprises a second drive means such as a motor 47 secured to a bracket,not shown, mounted on base for driving a shaft 48 through a speedreducer, not shown. Shaft 48 extends through an opening, not shown, inplate 36, and is driving- 1y connected by a coupling 4-9 to shaft ofroller 12 for driving the roller at a predetermined rotational speed.The mechanism for moving rollers 12, 18 between a normal disengagedposition and an engaged position comprises a first drive means such asmotor 51, similar to motor 47, secured to the bracket, for driving ashaft 52 through a speed reducer, not shown. Shaft 52 extends through anopening in plate 36, and is drivingly connected by a coupling 53 similarto coupling 49 to one end of cam shaft 21 for driving same. A switchactuating means comprises a cam 54 secured to cam shaft 21 and having aprojection 55 thereon for moving a micro-switch 56 of a switch controlmeans between two positions in the power circuit. The switch controlmeans also comprises an operating switch S movable between off and onpositions into engagement with off and on contacts respectively by meansof buttons 57, 58 for connecting an electrical power source to thedevice. The off and on contacts are electrically connected to contacts61, 59 respectively 'as seen in FIG. 3.

In the operation of this device, particularly with reference to FIG. 3,when the operating switch S is turned to the on position, the power isimmediately connected to the roller drive motor 47 and the cam shaftdrive motor 51 through micro-switch 56 which is in its normal positionelectrically connected to a contact 59. At this instant, the cam 19 andcam follower 22 relationship is such that roilers 12, 18 are out ofpressure engagement. As soon as cam shaft 21 and cams 19, 54 haverotated through a predetermined portion of a revolution, projection 55actuates micro-switch 56 moving it out of its normal positionintoengagement with contact 61, disconnecting the power to cam shaft drivemotor 51. In this position, the pressure rollers 12, 18 are in pressureengagement. The copying device is then in position for use, and theoperator may feed matrix and copy sheet sandwiches therethrough forproducing copies. When the operator no longer desires to make furthercopies, the device is turned ofi by moving the operating switch S to itsoff position. This action disconnects the power supply from roller drivemotor 47, and connects it to cam shaft drive motor 51 throughmicro-switch 56 which is still in connection with contact 61.Consequently, cam shaft drive motor 51 drives the cam shaft 21 and earns19, 54 through the remainder of its revolution, during which roller 18is moved out of pressure engagement with roller 12, and projectionreleases micro-switch 56 which returns to its normal position inengagement with contact 59, breaking the electrical circuit to cam shaftdrive motor 51.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference toa preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the invention as described hereinabove and as defined in the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. In a copymaking device for making a copy from an exposed matrix byplacing a copy sheet in superimposed relation with said matrix to form acopy sheet-matrix sandwich .and feeding the sandwich through the devicewhere it is subjected to heat and pressure, the combination comprising:

a pair of opposed pressure rollers;

means including a first drive means for moving said rollers between anormally disengaged position and an engaged position;

second drive means for rotatably driving one of said rollers fortransporting between said rollers a copy sheet-matrix sandwich which hasbeen manually introduced into the nip of said rollers while in theirengaged position;

switch actuating means operated by said first drive means; and

switch control means for connecting said first and second drive means toa power source, and including,

(1) first and second electrical contacts,

(2) a first switch responsive to said switch actuating means formovement between a normal first position in which it is in engagementwith said first contact and a second position in which it is inengagement with said second contact,

(3) on and 01f electrical contacts connected to said first .and secondcontacts respectively, and

(4) a second switch movable between a normal off position in which it isin engagement wtih said off contact, and an on position in which it isin engagement with said on contact,

said switch control means adapted upon movement of said second switch tosaid on position to connect said power source to said first and seconddrive means whereby said switch actuating means is operated by saidfirst drive means to move said first switch to said second positiondisconnecting said power source from said first drive means when saidrollers are in their engaged position,

and upon movement of said second switch to said off position todisconnect said power source from said second drive means and reconnectsaid power supply to said first drive means through said first switch inits second position whereby said switch actuating means moves said firstswitch to its normal first position disconnecting said power supply fromsaid first drive means.

2. In a copymaking device for making a copy from an exposed matrix byplacing a copy sheet in superimposed relation with said matrix to form acopy sheet-matrix sandwich and feeding the sandwich through the devicewhere it is subjected to heat and pressure, the combination comprising:

a pair of opposed pressure rollers;

means including a first drive means for moving said rollers between anormally disengaged position and an engaged position;

second drive means for rotatably driving one ofsaid rollers fortransporting between said rollers a copy sheet-matrix sandwich which hasbeen manually introduced into the nip of said rollers while in theirengaged position;

switch actuating means operated by said first drive means;

first and second electrical contacts;

a first switch responsive to said switch actuating means for movementbetween a normal first position in which it is in engagement with saidfirst contact, and a second position in which it is in engagement withsaid second contact;

on and off electrical contacts connected to said first and secondcontacts respectively; and

a second switch movable between (1) an on position in which it is inengagement with said on contact for connecting said first and seconddrive means to a power source for operation, said first drive means uponoperation moving said rollers to their engaged position and operatingsaid switch actuating means for moving said first switch to its secondposition disconnecting said power source from said first drive means,and

(2) an off position in which it is in engagement References Cited withsaid off contact for disconnecting said UNITED STATES PATENTS powersource from said second drive means, and connecting said power source tosaid first drive 3,180,999 4/1965 Kuykendan 307*41 means which, uponoperation, drives said mov- 5 3,260,197 7/1966 Vreeland et ing means tomove said rollers to their disen- I gaged position and operates saidswitch actuat- ROBERT PULFREY lma'y Examuer' ing means to move saidfirst switch to its normal H. DINITZ, Assistant Examiner. firstposition.

